By submitting a film to the Soho Film Festival, the submitter confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to the following rules and conditions.

1. Festival Overview
Soho Film Festival is a biannual, feature-focused festival held in May and October, dedicated to original filmmaking that honours the great traditions of British cinema. The festival celebrates the enduring qualities of British films from the 1940s through the 1970s, including strong writing, character-led storytelling, wit and humour, restraint, moral complexity, and a clear sense of place, culture, and tradition — in short, British identity. At the same time, the festival acknowledges and embraces the continental and international influences for which Soho has long been known. While rooted in tradition, Soho Film Festival is not intentionally nostalgic. The festival actively seeks original contemporary films that reinterpret classical cinematic values for modern audiences and feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

2. Eligibility
• Films must be feature-length, with a running time of no less than 45 minutes and no more than 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Only films completed and first released within the last 24 months are eligible.
• Eligible genres are strictly limited to: Drama, Romance, Thriller/Crime, Comedy, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, Indie / Arthouse.
• Films may originate from any country.
• Films consisting of more than 10% of archival or stock footage or evidently generated by AI will be disqualified. Films with a political, activist, anarchist, militant, partisan, or religious (non-Christian) agenda will not be considered.
• All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway.
• Submission fees are non-refundable.

3. Submission & Screening
• Submission does not guarantee selection, screening, or award consideration.
• Soho Film Festival is deliberately curated and selective. Every submission is viewed in full.
• Only films designated as Official Selection will be screened or formally presented as part of a festival edition.
• Screenings take place at The Garden Cinema or one of the private members’ clubs in London, or at an alternative venue determined by the festival.
• The festival reserves the right to determine the final programme, screening format, and presentation method for each edition.

4. Selection Status
The festival may recognise films under the following non-competitive selection statuses:
• Official Selection – Films selected for screening or formal presentation at the festival and eligible for awards.
• Finalist – Films that reached the final jury stage and demonstrated notable merit but were not included in the final programme.
• Special Jury Mention – Films recognised at the discretion of the jury for specific artistic, narrative, or technical merit.
Selection status does not guarantee receipt of an award.

5. Judging Criteria
All films are assessed by the festival’s selection committee and jury using the following criteria:
• Story & Structure – Narrative clarity, coherence, and originality
• Character & Performance – Depth of characterisation and quality of acting
• Direction & Tone – Confidence of vision, pacing, and tonal consistency
• Cinematography & Visual Style – Visual storytelling and aesthetic intent
• Sound & Music – Audio clarity, sound design, and effective musical use
• Originality & Artistic Integrity – Distinct voice and lasting impact
The festival prioritises films that allow story and performance to lead, demonstrating craft, restraint, and clear artistic intent.

6. Awards Consideration
• Not all submitted or selected films will receive awards.
• Only films that have genuinely drawn the attention of the jury will be considered for awards.
• Award decisions are made at the sole discretion of the jury and are final.
• Only films designated as Official Selection are eligible for Major Competitive and Genre-Specific Awards.

7. Awards & Recognition
Award-winning films may receive:
• An official Soho Film Festival award laurel.
• Public recognition through festival communications.
At the festival’s discretion:
• Award-winning filmmakers may be invited to a private screening or viewing of their film as part of the festival programme.
• Invitations are subject to availability and are non-transferable.
• All travel expenses, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, subsistence, insurance, and any visa or entry requirements related to attending a private screening or festival event, are the sole responsibility of the filmmaker(s). Soho Film Festival does not cover or arrange travel, accommodation, visas, or associated costs.

8. Physical Trophies
• Physical trophies are optional and not included automatically.
• Award winners may order a physical trophy for a fee, details of which will be communicated directly.
• The purchase or non-purchase of a trophy does not influence award decisions.

9. Feedback & Communication
• All submitting filmmakers will receive some form of response regarding the outcome of their submission.
• Feedback, where provided, may vary in length and level of detail.
• Films that progress further in the selection or judging process may receive more detailed feedback than others.
• The festival does not guarantee extended or personalised feedback for every submission.

10. Rights & Permissions
• The submitter confirms that they hold all necessary rights to submit the film.
• By submitting, the filmmaker grants Soho Film Festival permission to use stills, trailers, synopses, and excerpts (up to two minutes) for promotional purposes related to the festival.
• No full film will be exhibited or distributed publicly without the filmmaker’s written consent.

11. General Conditions
• Soho Film Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
• The festival reserves the right to disqualify submissions that do not comply with eligibility requirements or these terms.
• All decisions made by the festival and its jury are final.